The Spain midfielder became the first player to provide an assist in three different Champions League finals when he played the pass that Ivan Rakitic hit past Gianluigi Buffon
So many teams have tried and failed, Juventus among them, but now the football world will expect Barcelona to do it - win the Champions League two years running

Not since 1991 have a team defended their European title. AC Milan did it then and their star forward, Marco van Basten, told Goal before the game that if Barcelona were to do it the key men would be Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta.

Juventus did a reasonable job of limiting Messi's influence on the game but they could not stop Iniesta, who became the first player to provide an assist in three different Champions League finals.

After three minutes and 22 seconds, the 31-year-old appeared in the left side of the penalty area. One instinctive, deadly pass gave Ivan Rakitic a clear sight of goal and the tightest defence in the competition was breached.



Rakitic scored and became the fifth Croatian to win the Champions League. Juventus might be forgiven for having been looking the other way - it was the Barcelona’s first goal-assist combination that did not involve Messi, Neymar or Luis Suarez since February 28.

By the time Iniesta left the pitch in the 78th minute he had made more forward passes (52) than any of his team-mates. He had dictated much of the play, in tempo and terms of forward momentum.

Van Basten had said Iniesta was the key, not just Messi. Now he becomes the outright leader on the pitch and off, as Xavi heads for Qatar.

He is, said the great Dutch striker, “the brains of the team”. Milan had Frank Rijkaard and Roberto Donadoni running their midfield in their glory days but Iniesta is special and if Barcelona are to become back-to-back champions he will be integral.

Iniesta's consistency and excellence shone through in Berlin. Another season of the same and his team will make history.